As a recovering fundamentalist in my 60s from the Deep South, I have long loved Phillip Yancey's work. I will return to Soul Survivor- I never made it past the first section - it brought up too much pain. Now I look forward to pressing on and reading about Mr. Yancey"s heroes.
"The adults said it, so it must be true" hit the hardest for me. Still trying to trust God, when I don't even know how to "have a relationship with God". Been raised in the church since I was a little kid, became agnostic in college, had a really transformative experience in a hospital exactly a decade ago now, and... have been wondering why God had me go through what I went through. I'm sure I'm not asking the "right questions", but... they're the only questions I got. Thanks for your prayers on vision for my life. Take care, -Kenneth
I'm clinging to Philip like a buey in the Ocean, after the direction the Evangelicals have taken these past few years. This really rocked my faith and challenged me in so many ways; like staying sane and finding forgiveness for my lost Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
What a kind and gentle spirit he has. And yet is is so real. Love his books. He knows the garbage is out there but doesnt wallow in it. Love how he tells his story.
I love Phillip's story of redemption and how Christ revealed Himself to him. Where The Light Fell deeply touched me. I need to get Soul Survivor!! Thanks for the interview.
This is really a beautiful interview. So much beauty, pain, contemplation, & seeing beauty that comes out of ashes. Now I need to read some of Mr. Yancey’s books!
I had a similar experience a number of years ago. Despite being raised in a strict fundamentalist Christian church and home (plus Christian HS and college) the experience came in the context of Eastern religion. Very Buddhist adjacent. For a while I attributed it to the truth of the religion. After living with the transformation I experienced, I now see it as something that is universal that can be seen through many different vehicles. Religions (nature, love, etc.) are just the fingers pointing at the moon. Not the moon itself. Part of the growth into that realization was the gradual letting go of the seeming importance of the 'finger' and a greater immersion into the 'moon'. To this point, I see Christianity as useful. But I see the exclusivity claims of it, and other religions, as a hinderance to the greater upliftment of the world.
Wonderful. Love Philip Yancey's intelligence and understanding of the Word. I am so grateful for Godly men like this who speak out the truth against the pharisaism in N. America. As I Canadian I include us within that frame along with the US.
Oh, wow! Yes, Soul Survivor!!! I l8ved What's So Amazing About Grace and the other Grace book, really helped me, but Soul Survivor is my favorite! Thank you, lPhillip Yancey.
She gave Samuel over an answered prayer. You were “given” to your Dad’s ministry over an “UNanswered” prayer. A story turns sour when we force our wills upon others. The story will always be sweet and lead to life when we learn to listen, understand, and obey God.
I am somewhat unsure of the Christian 'fundamentalism" Philip is concerned with in his criticism. Maybe it is all of it. "Fundamentalism" is generally interpreted to embrace the following widely accepted tenets :Biblical inspiration and the infallibility of the Scriptures; the Virgin birth of Jesus; Belief that Christ's death was in atonement for sin; the Bodily resurrection of Jesus and the reality of the miracles of Jesus. How many of these does Philip blame for the "toxicity" of Christian belief and why ? It seems to me that his unfortunate experiences as a young man in one legalistic Southern church have cased him to throw a large critical blanket over much of Christianity in the US. That is unwarranted. I would have exprected Philip to be more perspiacious and discriminating
After 50-plus years of involvement in fundamentalist Evangelicalism, I’ve discovered that believing all of the right things is subordinate to doing all of the right things. I’ve met many theologically-minded Christians who can cross all the appropriate theological Ts, and dot all the appropriate theological Is. Unfortunately many of these were locked into the same egregious spirit mentioned in the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. There’s a reason the name of God is blasphemed among the nations. It has less to do with believing all the (ahem) “fundamentals” and more to do with being ambassadors of God’s grace. Those like Phil, who have been subjected to such a perverse image of God, had to come to that point where they understand what “gospel” really means. If it’s all about smoking, drinking, movies, dancing, politics, and hairstyles, we’re heading away from grace, and towards something different from what Jesus taught. Phil has chosen to retain the moniker “Evangelical”; I have rejected it. This isn’t a slap on Phil, only a gesture of hope. Perhaps one day I can look on the label with admiration, but I’m not holding my breath.
I believe Phillip is speaking not about the fundamentals but the practice and demonstration of them by the folks who proclaim Christ.You are right that the tenants you accurately outlined are true to HIS WORD. It is my observation that many if not most who call themselves Christians know very little about HIS Word. Unfortunately the human factor has contributed to misrepresentation of Christ.The Pharisees had to be thinking “what’s wrong with our religion?” Unfortunately we all sometimes can get caught up with that same mindset. Yancy “ain’t” perfect but I am less perfect and have appreciated his work. I’ve fallen for the trap of judging far too many times. Thanks for following Christ and trying to work out your faith. God Bless You!🙏👊🙏❤️🙏
I don't understand your defensiveness. Nothing on earth is perfect. I believe attitudes like yours hurt the church. Fundamentalism can have its good parts but that does not cleanse the bad. When it's criticized, if your response is to defend it and only point to the good rather than confront its ills and failings... hmmm 👀
As a recovering fundamentalist in my 60s from the Deep South, I have long loved Phillip Yancey's work. I will return to Soul Survivor- I never made it past the first section - it brought up too much pain. Now I look forward to pressing on and reading about Mr. Yancey"s heroes.
"The adults said it, so it must be true" hit the hardest for me. Still trying to trust God, when I don't even know how to "have a relationship with God". Been raised in the church since I was a little kid, became agnostic in college, had a really transformative experience in a hospital exactly a decade ago now, and... have been wondering why God had me go through what I went through.
I'm sure I'm not asking the "right questions", but... they're the only questions I got. Thanks for your prayers on vision for my life. Take care, -Kenneth
The Jesus I never knew is my favorite book ever. Life changing for me.. thank you PY
I'm clinging to Philip like a buey in the Ocean, after the direction the Evangelicals have taken these past few years. This really rocked my faith and challenged me in so many ways; like staying sane and finding forgiveness for my lost Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
Love Soul Survivor ❤ Paul Brand, what a legend! An absolute hero.
What a kind and gentle spirit he has. And yet is is so real. Love his books. He knows the garbage is out there but doesnt wallow in it. Love how he tells his story.
I love Phillip's story of redemption and how Christ revealed Himself to him. Where The Light Fell deeply touched me. I need to get Soul Survivor!! Thanks for the interview.
I really ENJOYED this interviewed with Philip Yancey. I have been deeply blessed and impacted by his written works.
This is really a beautiful interview. So much beauty, pain, contemplation, & seeing beauty that comes out of ashes. Now I need to read some of Mr. Yancey’s books!
If you can listen to audio book if Where The Light Fell, its so good. He reads it himself.
I was brought up fundamentalist and was taught we are all one race, the human race.
I am from Costa Rica. What a interview! Thanks for your program. God spoke to me in a very profund way
Thank you for this conversation. It was marvelous. Going to revisit "The Jesus I Never Knew" that my younger brother gave me years ago.
I had a similar experience a number of years ago. Despite being raised in a strict fundamentalist Christian church and home (plus Christian HS and college) the experience came in the context of Eastern religion. Very Buddhist adjacent. For a while I attributed it to the truth of the religion. After living with the transformation I experienced, I now see it as something that is universal that can be seen through many different vehicles. Religions (nature, love, etc.) are just the fingers pointing at the moon. Not the moon itself. Part of the growth into that realization was the gradual letting go of the seeming importance of the 'finger' and a greater immersion into the 'moon'. To this point, I see Christianity as useful. But I see the exclusivity claims of it, and other religions, as a hinderance to the greater upliftment of the world.
Love you Philip yancey
Wonderful. Love Philip Yancey's intelligence and understanding of the Word. I am so grateful for Godly men like this who speak out the truth against the pharisaism in N. America. As I Canadian I include us within that frame along with the US.
Jesus is the Word.
Oh, wow! Yes, Soul Survivor!!! I l8ved What's So Amazing About Grace and the other Grace book, really helped me, but Soul Survivor is my favorite! Thank you, lPhillip Yancey.
Thank you. I needed to hear that today.
I grew up in the same extreme fundamentalism! Still deconstructing at 60 years old
She gave Samuel over an answered prayer. You were “given” to your Dad’s ministry over an “UNanswered” prayer.
A story turns sour when we force our wills upon others.
The story will always be sweet and lead to life when we learn to listen, understand, and obey God.
I am somewhat unsure of the Christian 'fundamentalism" Philip is concerned with in his criticism. Maybe it is all of it. "Fundamentalism" is generally interpreted to embrace the following widely accepted tenets :Biblical inspiration and the infallibility of the Scriptures; the Virgin birth of Jesus; Belief that Christ's death was in atonement for sin; the Bodily resurrection of Jesus and the reality of the miracles of Jesus. How many of these does Philip blame for the "toxicity" of Christian belief and why ? It seems to me that his unfortunate experiences as a young man in one legalistic Southern church have cased him to throw a large critical blanket over much of Christianity in the US. That is unwarranted. I would have exprected Philip to be more perspiacious and discriminating
After 50-plus years of involvement in fundamentalist Evangelicalism, I’ve discovered that believing all of the right things is subordinate to doing all of the right things. I’ve met many theologically-minded Christians who can cross all the appropriate theological
Ts, and dot all the appropriate theological Is. Unfortunately many of these were locked into the same egregious spirit mentioned in the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.
There’s a reason the name of God is blasphemed among the nations. It has less to do with believing all the (ahem) “fundamentals” and more to do with being ambassadors of God’s grace. Those like Phil, who have been subjected to such a perverse image of God, had to come to that point where they understand what “gospel” really means.
If it’s all about smoking, drinking, movies, dancing, politics, and hairstyles, we’re heading away from grace, and towards something different from what Jesus taught. Phil has chosen to retain the moniker “Evangelical”;
I have rejected it. This isn’t a slap on Phil, only a gesture of hope. Perhaps one day I can look on the label with admiration, but I’m not holding my breath.
I believe Phillip is speaking not about the fundamentals but the practice and demonstration of them by the folks who proclaim Christ.You are right that the tenants you accurately outlined are true to HIS WORD. It is my observation that many if not most who call themselves Christians know very little about HIS Word. Unfortunately the human factor has contributed to misrepresentation of Christ.The Pharisees had to be thinking “what’s wrong with our religion?” Unfortunately we all sometimes can get caught up with that same mindset. Yancy “ain’t” perfect but I am less perfect and have appreciated his work. I’ve fallen for the trap of judging far too many times. Thanks for following Christ and trying to work out your faith. God Bless You!🙏👊🙏❤️🙏
I don't understand your defensiveness. Nothing on earth is perfect. I believe attitudes like yours hurt the church.
Fundamentalism can have its good parts but that does not cleanse the bad. When it's criticized, if your response is to defend it and only point to the good rather than confront its ills and failings... hmmm 👀
Excellent.Thx.
Philip wrote his own experience, write yours about good fundamentalism so we can read it...
Imagine that Jesus never came. Then, imagine not having anyone to turn to for help. Hopeless.
I can't stand Paul Washer,John Piper,John MacArthur, RC Sproul So thankful i don't believe a word they say 😅